07 August 2015

Today, Friday 7 August 2015, at the National Eisteddfod, is a day to celebrate the work of T. Llew Jones, on the centenary year of the late poet and author's birth.

Also today, S4C have announced that the channel will broadcast special programmes to celebrate the work of T. Llew Jones in October, to mark 100 years since his birth.

Among the programmes is a portrayal presented by Beti George, who had personal link with T. Llew Jones, which will examine the man behind the public face. Also, a chance to enjoy the film adaptation of his classic novel, Tân ar y Comin.

S4C is part of the many activities taking place at the National Eisteddfod, Montgomeryshire and the Marches, to celebrate T. Llew Jones. Among them are two poetry sessions with Bardd Plant Cymru (Welsh Children's Poet Laureate) Anni Llŷn, who was inspired by T. Llew Jones as a child.

Anni Llŷn, Bardd Plant Cymru, said; "I read the T. Llew Jones stories with my mother when I was a child, and I was inspired by the adventures in his stories. I hope that today we can remember him, whilst having fun with words."

At 12.00 and 2.00 in the afternoon, Anni Llŷn is inviting children to join her at S4C's theatre on the Eisteddfod Maes, to explore their imaginations and compose a poem inspired by the author's sense of adventure.

The Bardd Plant Cymru project is a partnership between Literature Wales, S4C, Welsh Government, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and the Welsh Books Council.

Also on the Maes, one of T. Llew Jones' infamous heroes, the highwayman Twm Siôn Cati will take on S4C's own pirate Ben Dant, on the Performance Stage at 2.00.

And children can follow their own treasure map, with a chance to win a hamper of prizes, by collecting stickers from various stalls across the Maes, each assigned with a letter which will spell a special word ... but what will that word be? The treasure hunt maps are available at the S4C pavilion.

As we look forward to celebrating the centenary of his birth on S4C in the autumn, S4C Director of Content and Transmission, Dafydd Rhys says; "T. Llew Jones has inspired generations of children and adults with his novels which are full of adventure, excitement, dangerous villains and fearless heroes. We look forward very much to celebrating this element of his work on the channel in the autumn, and it's great to see the spirit of his novels coming to life on the Eisteddfod Maes today, with S4C among the celebrations.

"But we also remember T. Llew Jones as a poet who twice won the Eisteddfod chair. His work as a poet will be explored as part of S4C's programmes in October, as we learn about the man who breathed life in to such infamous characters as Twm Siôn Cati, Barti Ddu and the pirate Harri Morgan."

The programmes celebrating T. Llew Jones will be shown during the centenary of his birth on 11 October, 2015. If you want to join in the activities on the Eisteddfod Maes today, more information is available at the S4C pavilion.

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